Strip pallet



April 26, 1966 J. J. SEPE ETAL 3, 4

' STRIP PALLET Filed Oct. 30, 1964 2 Sheats sheer. 1

INVENTORS JOHN J ISZFLPE JOH/V C1 NATALI'CIO ATTORNEY April 26, 1966 J. J. SEPE ETAL 3,247,810

STRIP PALLET Filed Oct. 30, 1964 7 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN TORS Z3 JOHNJT Jail/[C10 Fig.6 1: B IOHN ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,247,810 STRIP PALLET John J. Sepe, Glendale, and John C. Natalicio, Granada Hills, Calif., assignors to Rocket Jet Engineering Corp., Glendale, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 30, 1164, Ser. No. 407,652 7 Claims. (Cl. '108-53) This invention relates to a load supporting structure and it is in the nature of a pallet module, which can be used in whatever size and quantity is required to solve the problem at hand.

It is an object of this invention to provide a palletlike structure which may bev used to support a load spaced from and above a floor.

' It is another object of this invention to provide such a structure as may be made so very inexpensively that it can, with good economy, be thrown away after one use if desired.

It is another object of this invention to design a module type pallet structure ideally suited for manufacture from inexpensive sheet plastic.

It is another object of this invention to provide a palletlike structure of such configuration that identical structures may be nested snugly one within the other, thereby minimizing space requirements during storage and transport.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pallet-like structure which may be manufactured and stocked in a single universal size, and from which individual sizes or lengths may be cut as desired and arranged as desired, depending on the job to be accomplished at the moment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lightweight, inexpensive, and universally adaptable palletlike structure for supporting a flat-bottomed load, spaced above a storage floor.-

It is another object of this invention to provide a load structure consisting of a substantially flat-bottomed load positioned above the floor by a plurality of strip pallets.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the strip pallet constituting the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section showing one of the dimpled legsof the strip pallet.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing how a plurality of strip pallets may be nested for storage or transportation.

FIG. 4 is a view looking up on the underside of a load to which is secured three strip pallets.

FIG. 5 is an underside perspective view of another arrangement of strip pallets in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of structure.

Referring to the drawings, 11 denotes an elongate strip of sheet material having a length several times its width. The material is preferably a sheet of plastic which is susceptible of being molded by vacuum forming or match metal dies or other appropriate processes.

Spaced along the length of strip 11 are a plurality of downwardly extending dimples 12, which constitute support legs for the pallet strip. Each dimple or leg 12 is generally in the form of a truncated pyramid, having sloping sides 13 connected by rounded corners 14 and terminating in a flat bottom 16 where the pyramid is truncated. The bottom 16 is adapted to rest on a floor. The upper surface of the strip 11 is adapted to contact the under surface of the load. As shown in 3,247,810 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 in nested arrangement as shown in FIG. 3, with one leg telescoped within the one next below. This minimizes the space required for storage and transport when the strip pallets are not in use.

It is preferred to fabricate and inventory the strip pallet in long strips having a large number of dimpled legs 12, as shown in FIG. 1. When need for pallet strips arises, sufiicient numbers and of proper length are cut oif to accommodate the undersurface of the load; As shown in FIG. 4, a typical load, consisting of a-large box-like structure 17, has secured to the undersurface 18 thereof three parallel pallet strips 11. In this example each strip has four of the legs 12. If desired, bonding means may be provided to secure the strips 11 to the undersurface 18. Such bonding means are shown by way of an example as staples '19 passed through the strip from the underside and into the bottom 18. With a load arranged as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to lift the load 17 by means of a fork lift truck, transport it to another location and set it down, and then withdraw the forks. The forks may be inserted either longitudinally, parallel to the strips 11, or transverse, in which case they would pass between adjacent legs 12.

It is not necessary to secure the strips 11 to the under surface of the load. If desired the strips may be simply placed on the floor in their proper position, and a load placed over the strips by any suitable loading apparatus such as a fork lift truck. The fork may then be withdrawn, leaving the load spaced above the floor and supported by the legs 12.

The present invention is ideally suited for making, in

module fashion, a relatively rigid supporting platform by arranging the strips as shown in FIG. 5. In this instance the legs 12 of the upper layer of strips 11 nest within the legs of the lower layer of strips 11". This nesting, however, unlike that shown in FIG. 3, is with the strips arranged at right angles to provide 2. rectangular frame-like structure in which the legs are of double strength by virtue of the nesting. Although FIG. 5 illustrates the provision of center supporting strips 11, these are not always necessary. If desired the structure may be limited to a simple rectangular frame, having only the outer strips.

The structure shown in FIG. 5 is especially suited to the provision of a pallet or skid for supporting heavy pieces of machinery, and this may be accompanied by the provision of a sturdy wooden frame 21 which sits atop the pallet structure at the perimeter thereof.

Comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates the module nature of this invention. That is, in FIG. 4 the load 17 is of such a size as to call for strips having four of the legs 12; while in FIG. 5 the load is assumed to be smaller and require the cutting of lengths having only three legs.

The pyramid-like nature of the legs, best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, serves as a locking arrangement when strips are nested transversely, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, even without any securement or bonding the interlocking prevents one strip from turning relative to the strip into which it is nesting.

The pallet module of the present invention may, if desired, have only a single. dimpled leg, thereby in some cases simplifying storage and rendering the use more versatile. That is, the strip 11 may be made and/or stored substantially as a square, having only a single leg 12 centrally located therein. In this form, the pallet-leg would usually be stapled or otherwise secured to the underside of the load. However, the fiat bottom of the leg 12 does permit a plurality of such legs to be spaced judiciously over a floor area to receive a load resting thereon, without securement.

The strip pallet of the present invention is designed primarily for load structures which have their own lateral bending strength; that is, those which have a firm and solid bottom, such as the bottom 18 shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the primary purpose of the present strip pallet is to take the vertical compression force of the load 17 and support it above the fioor. If bending strength is desired, the strip 11 may be provided, as shown in FIG. 6, with a downwardly extending longitudinal strengthening depression 22 that gives longitudinal ridgidity to the structure. In order to accommodate the crossing of such strips in the manner shown in FIG. 5, a complementary groove 23 is provided at each leg 12 into which the groove 22 may seat.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Support structure adapted to cooperate with another such structure to form a free-standing pallet or to cooperate with an associated burden in order to support a load spaced from a floor, comprising:

an elongated strip of sheet material having a length at least several times its width,

said sheet being dimpled downwardly in a plurality of discrete integral dimples forming a single line along the length of said sheet, said dimples constituting legs adapted to rest on the floor,

the upper surface of said sheet being adapted to contact and, in conjunction with like sheets, support a load spaced from the floor.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said legs is in the form of a truncated pyramid, whereby when one strip is placed transverse to another, with a respective pair of legs nesting, the nested sides of the pyramids prevent the two strips from turning relative to each other.

3. Load structure comprising:

a plurality of discrete elongate strips of sheet material,

each strip being provided with a plurality of downwardly extending dimples arranged in a single row lengthwise of the strip, said dimples constituting legs resting on a floor,

at least one channel rib extending the length of each strip and interrupted by each dimple, and a like number and spacing of channel ribs crossing laterally through each dimple, whereby the channel ribs will nest whenever said strips are stacked either in superimposed position, or at relationship, with one dimple nested in another,

a load having a substantially flat bottom,

the upper surface of said strips engaging said bottom,

thereby to support said load spaced from the floor by said legs.

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3 including bonding means for securing said strips to said bottom.

5. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said strips are disposed parallel to each other beneath said load.

6. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said strips are disposed in the form of a rectangular frame, with a leg of one strip nested within a leg of a transverse strip, at each corner of said frame.

7. A pallet to support a load spaced from a floor, comprising:

an elongated strip of sheet material having a length at least several times its width,

said sheet being dimpled downwardly in a plurality of discrete dimples forming a single line along the length of said sheet, said dimples constituting legs to rest on the floor,

each dimple having an exterior surface configuration and an interior surface configuration of complementary size and form providing a plurality of separate and distinct nesting positions wherein one dimple nested in another will lock in said position against rotational movement in the plane of said strip of sheet material,

whereby, the upper surface of said sheet is adapted to contact and, in conjunction with like sheets, support a load spaced from the floor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,615,661 10/1952 Cushman 108-52 2,709,559 5/1955 Geisler 108-51 2,813,656 11/1957 Anderson 220-97 2,841,350 7/1958 Chronister 108-56 3,107,635 10/1963 Kaiser 108-51 3,120,825 2/ 1964 Johnson 108-51 3,131,656 5/1964 Houle 108-56 3,140,672 7/1964 De Luca 108-53 3,167,341 1/1965 Higgins 108-58 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,322,667 2/1963 France.

99,987 7/1961 Netherlands.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. SUPPORT STRUCTURE ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH ANOTHER SUCH STRUCTURE TO FORM A FREE-STANDING PALLET OR TO COOPERATE WITH AN ASSOCIATED BURDEN IN ORDER TO SUPPORT A LOAD SPACED FROM A FLOOR, COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED STRIP OF SHEET MATERIAL HAVING A LENGTH AT LEAST SEVERAL TIMES ITS WIDTH, SAID SHEET BEING DIMPLED DOWNWARDLY IN A PLURALITY OF DISCRETE INTEGRAL DIMPLES FORMING A SINGLE LINE ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID SHEET, SAID DIMPLES CONSTITUTING LEGS ADAPTED TO REST ON THE FLOOR, THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SHEET BEING ADAPTED TO CONTACT AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH LIKE SHEETS, SUPPORT A LOAD SPACED FROM THE FLOOR. 